Senators from the oil states of the U.S. urged President Donald Trump to not block oil shipments from Venezuela as part of U.S. sanctions against the country, saying it could raise costs for U.S. fuel consumers.

The United States sanctioned President Nicolas Maduro and other Venezuelan politicians after the establishment of the Constituent Assembly. However, the country has not placed sanctions on the OPEC member's oil industry.

Four states -Texas, Louisiana, Cochran and Mississippi expressed concerns regarding the possible affect of the sanctions on the US oil industry. The United States imports about 740,000 barrels per day of oil from Venezuela.

The ban on the oil import may have serious outcomes for the country’s oil industry and as a result have a negative effect on the tax payers, state the senators, according to Reuters.

“We believe it is critical to consider the role the U.S. energy industry and refining sector play in our economic and national security interest,” the senators wrote in their letter.

Although Maduro’s first reaction on the sanctions was critical, later he expressed willingness to normalize relations with the U.S., voicing hope that they will base on dialogue and mutual respect.

"Mr. Donald Trump, here is my hand," the socialist president said, adding that he wants as strong a relationship with the U.S. as he has with Russia.

Maduro's apparent olive branch was undermined in the same speech by his own angry rant against Trump, who he accused of backing a failed attack on a military base a week ago.

The Trump administration in turn has called Maduro a "dictator" and issued sanctions against him and more than two dozen other former and current officials.

Previously, US Treasury Secretary of Steven Mnuchin stated that America will confront the tyranny as long as Venezuela becomes a peaceful and prosperous democratic country.